Erik ten Hag gives his verdict on Ronaldo’s future in the Man Utd team after 2-1 win over Liverpool

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The Red Devils boss secured his first competitive win as boss against Liverpool on Monday with Cristiano Ronaldo starting from the bench.

It was an evening to remember for Manchester United fans on Monday. The Red Devils beat their bitter rivals Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford, while fans inside and outside of the stadium protested the club’s ownership.

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were on the scoresheet for United and helped lift the club to 14th in the table after three games - two places above Jurgen Klopp’s side.

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The win was the Red Devils’ first over Liverpool in the league since March 2018, when then-manager Jose Mourinho guided the club to the same scoreline.

Erik ten Hag made several changes to his starting 11 after defeat in their opening two fixtures, including dropping Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Cristiano Ronaldo to the bench.

Jadon Sancho puts Manchester United ahead against Liverpool  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)Jadon Sancho puts Manchester United ahead against Liverpool  (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho puts Manchester United ahead against Liverpool (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The decision to drop the trio worked in the Dutchman’s favour as United looked solid at the back with a new-look defence consisting of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.

Ronaldo was a late substitute for the Red Devils, replacing Rashford. He made little impact when on the pitch, leading to question as to whether he can fit into Ten Hag’s system.

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United’s boss quickly shut down claims the Portuguese international can’t adapt to his style of play.

“I think he can [play in this team], in the whole of his career under several managers he did, several styles and systems. He [has] always performed, so why can’t he do this?” Ten Hag said in his post-match press conference.

Questions were then raised as to whether Ronaldo, now 37, is too old to fit into Ten Hag’s system - something the Dutchman doesn’t see as an issue.

“Yeah, and? His age is not an issue,” the Red Devils boss said. “If you’re young you’re good enough and when you’re old and you still deliver the performance, you’re also good enough.”

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United will be hoping to take the momentum from Monday evening’s victory into their next league game against Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday.

Ten Hag will again have some tough calls to make regarding his starting XI, especially with new signing Casemiro likely available and Maguire and Ronaldo not looking a miss.

Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is photographed ahead of Monday’s home game with Liverpool (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is photographed ahead of Monday’s home game with Liverpool (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro is photographed ahead of Monday’s home game with Liverpool (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images

“The demand is for everyone, but also for the manager,” the Red Devils boss said. “We have to deliver. You have obligations to the club, to the fans and it is a massive club with a huge fanbase.

“We have to deliver that. We have to act as a team and every individual has to give every day their best. That’s the demand for a manager and also for the team.”

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